This is a zine dedicated to black metal written by a follower of the left hand path, This zine has been around in a different format for a while and I have decided to make an edition for www.blogger.com, for more information email occultblackmetalzine@yahoo.com, new albums as well as classic albums will be reviewed on here as long as their good quality black metal,

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Sivyj Jar are a solo project from Russia that has been featured before in this zine and plays an atmospheric form of pagan black metal and this is a review of his 2015 album "Burial Shrouds" which was released by Avantgarde Music.

A very epic and medieval sound starts off the album and after the intro clean playing and drum beats are brought in before going into more of a heavier pagan/black metal direction along with some melodies and atmospheric elements and all of the musical instruments have a very powerful sound to them while the fast parts bring in a great amount of raw aggression and blast beats.

Vocals are mostly done the angry black metal shouting direction and when solos are utilized they are done in more of a melodic direction and spoken word parts can be heard in certain sections of the recording along with most of the tracks being very long and epic in length and some songs also bring in a small amount of synths and folk instruments.

Most of the music is rooted mostly in a modern black metal style along with the songs heavy a perfect balance between both clean and heavy parts and as the album progresses the vocals also start utilizing more high pitched depressive black metal screams and some of the melodies also add in a touch of post black metal and a couple of the tracks brings in a brief use of spoken word samples and the last song also brings in a view seconds of melodic female pagan chants.

Sivyj Yar plays a style of pagan black metal on this recording that is very melodic, progressive and atmospheric while still also having its raw moments, the production sounds very dark yet powerful at the same time while the lyrics cover Russian Paganism.

In my opinion this is another great sounding recording from Sivyj Yar and if you are a fan of pagan black metal, you should check out this album. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Burial Shrouds" and "The Snow Shall Fall For A Long While". 8 out of 10.

Celtefog are a band from Greece that plays a pagan form of black metal and this is a review of their 2015 ep "Three Nights In The Mediterranean Sea" which was released by Old Graves Productions.

Nature sounds start off the ep along with some whispered vocals a few seconds later and after a few seconds ambient sounds are added onto the recording which also leads up to melodic guitar leads and blast beats that also takes the music into a heavier direction as well as introducing high pitched black metal screams onto the recording.

All of the musical instruments have a very powerful sound to them and both of the songs use a great mixture of slow, mid paced and fast parts and the music also gets very atmospheric at times and brings in a brief use of clean playing and the faster sections also have a raw edge to them at times and they close the recording with a cover of Windir's "Svartesmeden Og Lundamystrollet" which also brings in a few seconds of clean singing pagan vocals.

Celtefog plays a style of pagan metal that is very epic, melodic and atmospheric sounding as well as displaying a great amount of talent and skill on both of the tracks, the production sounds very dark and raw while the lyrics cover Paganism, Nature, Winter and Revenge themes.

In my opinion Celtefog are a very great sounding pagan black metal band and if you are a fan of this musical genre, you should check out this ep. RECOMMENDED TRACK "Three Nights In The Mediterranean Sea". 8 out of 10.

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

Working mostly. Not playing as many shows as we should. With our lineup always changing it's been difficult to play shows and record new albums. Right now, we are down a bassist but, one might come on for the album we plan to release in October. Our guitarist was in a band called Sagorith from Many Farms, AZ. He moved up here and has been playing and helping me with Music Distroyer for two years now. Which has been awesome! We are planning another ritual for Sep. 9 so, hopefully it will get recorded and put out shortly after.

2.Recently you where a part of a split, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

Music Distroyer is like two trash cans fucking. With a homeless guy puking into it. It's filthy, dirty, raw and unrehearsed.

As for this recording I would say that it is more refined and we paid more attention to recording and writing. We actually have a beginning and an ending. Having Mort'Ka on guitar has really helped give us a new sound of melody and chaos. My older recordings over the years have either been heavily drug and alcohol induced or using sleep deprivation and caffeine over load to coax the music from within. So I guess our sound as musicians is evolving into something I'm not quite sure of still... which is exciting in itself.

3.According to the Metal Archives page the band has been around since 1998 and while I live in Colorado I never came across your music until a year ago and also I thought black metal bands did not exist in the state back then, can you tell us a little bit more about the early years?

Well 91' is when I started this recording and playing. It was more punk, thrash, and noise abuse. I have old recordings that friends have told me sound like black metal, but I don't see the similarities. In 98' I played in a band called MVI, a thrash band out of Mammoth Lakes CA. The drummer (Lord Sxupeion) introduced me to several bands I had never heard of. Always wanting more out of music I started to create more in the vein of Black Metal. The Black Metal scene was shit then. No one cared enough to stop you from playing which is something I miss. The first three albums/demos were horrible. I tried to play all the parts myself because Lord Sxuperion and I were too busy with life to continue recording. I had just moved back to CO in 01' and had no access to any musicians. I played each part with loops when playing live and recorded each part at my home studio.

Started playing more open mic nights, calling it acoustic black metal. Nobody stopped me for a while because my daughter was with me and they just thought that it was so cute. She would scream and I would play.

Found a few people on the road here and there who would help play live shows so I made a game of it. It helped me write more...

I just started pumping out material and playing wherever anybody would let me. House shows were good.And open fields, mountain tops with generators, it was definitely a very chaotic and inebriated number of years.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with your music?

5.In the early years the music on the recordings was all solo, are you still recording everything on the albums by yourself?

No, the last 5 releases I have had guest musicians help me out now and then. I'm not a creepy loner anymore, hiding from the world. Then on occasions going and spewing my filth to see a reaction. The early recordings were a lot more powerful and angry. When I collaborate now with others, I seam to have lost a little of that luster but the sound and ideology is also changing.

6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Music Distroyer'?

Well I played in a band called MVI (Modular, Vortical, Informatics) Which means to pull from three ideas to make one, it's a vortex of ideas. I just changed the name to Music Distroyer, using the same symbol I used on that band.

7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

The best shows are the open fields with a bonfire going. I've had so many of those. The 6-6-06 show was pretty sick. We all took a bunch of acid and shrooms then tried to play a show, after that fiasco we all took off into the woods, I think it was only four bands and us. Iberg played drums for me at that time. We played at the Durango Art Center one time not sure the day or year but we got kicked out for saying " all you hippies out there fucking die", and some kid broke a window with his head, which I thought was funny.

As for stage presence, we prefer the dark. We understand that the audience needs visuals, but we think listening to the show in the dark is the best way our music can be heard.

8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

Well that is a great question. I would love to but it costs so much to travel and it's not like we get paid enough to cover the travel time. Playing a show shouldn't be about the money but it is hard to get to shows without money. So, you save for however long just to play a show for a half hour. And to get a response from the fans saying "It was so great man! Thanks for comin' out!" If we could sell more merchandise, we would definitely tour more

9.Recently you where a part of a split with 'Nathanas', what are your thoughts on the solos project the have participated on the recording?

Natanas is torture to me. I feel alone and ready to die without hope of return. His DSBM is destruction to the mind but just soothing enough to lure you in for the kill. I'm very proud to be a part of this split with Natanas.

10.Can you tell us a little bit more about Death Portal Studio?

We were a nonprofit recording and production company/label out of Durango, CO. We have helped bands in the past get on there feet and understand the ropes of touring or making merchandise.

Now, we are revising the company as a whole and what we are and what we offer. There has been a lack of funds from previously released bands and merchandise to keep the nonprofit part afloat. We are having a mutiny on our hands the minions are getting hungry and thirsty!!

Our volunteers make this company. As we hope they stick around though, that is never the case. We are constantly changing. Again, I'm teaching, back to the basics right! While holding down a full time job that is the sole funding for Death Portal Studio. We are soon to start (again) Silk Screening our own merch to help generate funds for the label. We are trying to make it not just for the label but a Merchandise Production Company for small custom orders.

We hand make cases for your cd's ,vinyl's and tape releases. We print your custom art on all your merch needs. Help you learn how to do it yourself or provide that service for you. We also provide mobile recording, or come to our studio in Durango. At a reasonable rate.

11.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?

Over seas is great! I think America is shitty when it comes to support, they don't know the meaning of camaraderie. Great supporters in the states have been few and far between but they do exist.

12.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of? Most of Death Portal bands are affiliated with each other.

Rattusk, is out of Maine. He has tons of new material on his bandcamp page.

Exoteric Rift, is out of CO. He is putting together more instrumental material at this time.

Ashes, is out of CO. I will be releasing another album in September

Olde Tome, is out of CO. He is talking about a release in the new year.

Aetranok, is out of NM. They will be releasing there album hopefully very soon.

ITNOTK, is out of NM and CO. Releasing soon!

Blood Wizard, is out of CO and MA. Hopefully some time in the winter we will have another shitty release.

Thrymheym, is out of Italy. They have 2 albums and a new one coming soon!

Mollehoj, is out of Washington state. She has a split release with Twilight Fauna under her name Jennifer Christensen. Out Now!!!

13.Where do you see the band heading musically in the future?

Well, we put no bounds on the music we play so we could become a cover band for all I know.

We will just continue as we always have, playing music, recording, having fun, gettin' drunk and do it all again. I don't think we will change much except maybe more refined recordings.

14.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Friday, August 28, 2015

Krallice are a band from New York that has been featured before in this zine and plays a technical and avant garde style of black metal and this is a review of their 2015 album "Ygg Huur" which was released by Avantgarde Music.

A very dark and melodic sound starts off the album and after a few seconds blast beats and grim black metal screams start becoming a huge part of the recording and the songs also bring in a great mixture of slow, mid paced and fast parts along with the faster sections being in more of a raw black metal direction.

Elements of post metal can be heard quite a bit throughout the recording and all of the musical instruments have a very powerful sound to them and most of the tracks are long and epic in length and the riffs also get very technical at times and also adds a touch of avant garde to the bands musical style and all of the tracks also remain true to a heavy musical style.

Krallice creates an album that is still in a black metal direction while also getting a lot more technical over the years and they manage to avoid the cascadian style that was present on earlier recordings, the production sounds very powerful while the lyrics cover Esoteric themes.

In my opinion this is another great sounding recording from Krallice and if you are a fan of this band, you should enjoy this album. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Wastes of ocean" and "Bitter meditation". 8 out of 10.

Thursday, August 27, 2015

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
1. First of all, thank you for your review of our EP on OccultBlackMetalZine as well as the attention that you give to our work. KLLK was born from the musical alliance of my friend SkSk and myself. At that time we were both eager for lore and underground music. That is how in 2009 we came with this idea of an hermetic black metal in abidance with a mystic background. This is how our firsts notes 'I' and then 'Terra Apsens Lux' were released between 2009 and 2012 with the support of musicians who were receptive to our musical approach.

2.In July you had released a new ep, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
2. Our current work is indubitably quite different from our firsts two demo. these were made on impulse following a cathartic composition process. At that time the musicians who surrounded us were not involved in the composition process as they are nowadays. It would be interesting to add that our influences evolved and became more specific leading us to some more ritualistic and progressive aspects. This we owe to the symbiotic work of each musician in the band.

3.Over the years your lyrics have covered Indo Europeanism, Celtic Rituals, Cosmologies, the occultist Julius Evola and Mithraism, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the different pantheons and also the works of Evola?
3. We grant great importance to the thematics. I will try by this brief sketch to represent the essence of our project. In our thematics occultism generally isn't presented as abstract as is new-age, Steiner's 'vitalistic' esoterism and doesn't approch Blavatsky's syncretism. It is rather based on doctrines, substantive analyzes and cultural transmissions. In essence, lineage. This is why these subjects draw their influences from indo-european conceptions, ancient cosmogonies and cults from vanished civilizations. This attraction is especially oriented on our multi-millennium Europe because it is our birthplace, so the origin of all our deep concepts. Julius Evola is a great source of inspiration as well since he, in my opinion, plays one of the most important role in the search for transcendence and brings a metaphysical look over a modern, materialistic and anarchic era. Among the other authors that inspire us I could name Mircea Eliade, Savitri Devi, Rene Guenon, Nietzsche and George Soules.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name K.L.L.K'?
4. It will never be unveiled.

5.Has the band done any live shows or this strictly a studio project?
5. It was not part of our original plan, but since, a lot of water has passed under the bridge. More information will come to you soon, but we already have some good suggestions!

6.The ep was released on Mithra! Infrasound, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
6. Mithra! Infrasound is a subdivision of the French webzine Mithra! Templezine in which I officiates as editor. This is a particularly small structure that produces analog formats into very neat editions looking like relics. More productions will emerge soon, including a French neofolk duo and even Power Electronics!

7.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?
7. For the moment we have got some good feedback and encouraging recepetions from activists of the underground scene, we are sometimes surprised by the requests that may be extended to Australia, Canada and Russia. We owe this distribution to the brave support of GZ from Underground Soundscapes, Space Black Metal, LF from NKVD / Autokrator or M. Tinnemans from Tabula Obscura, and many others. All these supports drew us on carrying on this path and we thank them for it.

8.Between 2012 and 2015 there was no new music being released, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?
8. Indeed, We froze the activity for a year, from 2014 to 2015, and before this we recorded the EP 'Between the Heliocentric First Wind and the Great Devourer of Light' which was supposed to come out on an American label along with a Drone music project, Iron Gavel. We will not disclose the name of the label.

9.Early this year you had released your first 2 demo's on a compilation, can you tell us a little bit more about this release?
9. This compilation is primarily a gateway to the release of our EP and it allows to officially put 'Terra Apsens Lux' back on the agenda. The idea to add tracks collected from our many experiments - some dating back to 2010 - came much later, we wanted to immortalise these lost compositions. This kind of anthology is only available in digital format.

10.What is going on with the other musical project these days that 3/4th of the band members are a part of?
10. Indeed, we work on other projects that have no link with KLLK. N.Sol Invictus and me are part of a declinist Black Metal project named Avitum, a demo was released this year on Atavism Records. Other projects are in preparation and will be ruled by the same intention of transcendental research.

11.Where would you like to see the band heading into musically during the future?
11. Our work will remain impregnated by the atmospheric Black Metal and led in a ritualistic way. We have no intention of moderating ourselves now that we have a real drummer among us; Sleap aka B.Abysse. our possibilities have definitely expanded.

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
12. Our first influences came from groups practicing a deep and occult Black Metal like Deathspell Omega ('If Monumentum Requires, Circumspice' being one of our favorites), Portal, Blood of Kingu, Alrakis, Darkspace, Vrolok and Urfaust. We also had a distinct preference for industrial and experimental music, I think of SPK, Swans, Zero Kama, Militia (especially the tribalism vibe on the album 'Power.Propaganda.Production!') Allerseelen, the first Lustmord and Mz 412. There is currently a more diversified synergy among the band members, we particularly worship Crepusculo Negro, the bands labeled as 'Cascadian Black Metal'. We also have an attraction for dissonance and labels like Prison Tatt, Pesanta Urfolk, Sol y Nieve, or Beläten and Lost Pilgrims. Most recently we have been marked by bands like Vanum, Maléfices (Canada), Yussuf Jerusalem and the album 'The Lone Descent' from :of the wand and the moon: .

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
13. Once again thank you for this interview, we're hoping that the answers are interesting enough. We are currently on the composition of a more consistent release, the details will be revealed in the coming weeks!

Vuvyr are a band from Switzerland that has been featured before in this zine and plays a raw mixture of black metal and crust and this is a review of their 2014 ep "Incinerated Gods" which was released by Throatruiner Records.

A very fast and raw old school black metal sound starts off the ep along with some blast beats and a few seconds later high pitched screams are added into the music along with all of the musical instruments having a very powerful sound to them and when solos and leads are utilized they are very dark and melodic sounding.

A lot of the riffs use a great amount of melody and elements of crust and hardcore can be heard in some parts of the songs along with a touch of post black metal and the songs also bring in a great mixture of slow, mid paced and fast part and the influences are perfectly balnced between both old school and modern styles.

Vuyvr plays a style of black metal that is very raw while also bringing in elements of crust and hardcore and using post black metal style solos to make their music stand out a bit more, the production sounds very raw while the lyrics cover dark themes.

In my opinion this is another great sounding recording from Vuyvr and if you are a fan of crust influenced black metal, you should check out this ep. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Hate is A Black Hole" and "Devoured". 8 out of 10.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Nesseria are a band from France that has been featured before in this zine that plays a musical style that takes a raw form of black metal with elements of sludge and crust and this is a review of their 2014 album ''Fractures" which was released by Throatruiner Records.

AM radio noises start off the album before going into a heavy and melodic sludge metal along with some high pitched black metal screams and after awhile more fast and raw parts are added into the music along with some blast beats and all of the musical instruments have a very powerful sound to them..

Elements of post hardcore and crust can be heard quite a bit throughout the recording and all of the musical instruments have a very powerful sound to them and the solos and leads are very dark and melodic and the songs also bring in a great mixture of slow, mid paced and fast parts and some songs bring in thrash influences and the music also gets atmospheric at times while some of the brutal sections bring in grind and there is also a brief use of spoken word parts.

Nesseria remains true to the modern raw black metal sound of previous recordings and also continues to mix in elements of post hardcore, crust and sludge, the production sounds very raw yet powerful at the same time while the lyrics are written in French and cover angry themes.

In my opinion this is another great sounding album from Nesseria and if you are a fan of this band, you should check out this recording. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Leurs Histories" "Fractures" "Civitas" and "Omayra". 8 out of 10.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Movimento D' Avantguardia Emetico are a band from Italy that plays a very complex form of black metal and this is a review of their 3025 album "Torri Del Silenzio" which will be released in September by Avantgarde Music.

A very distorted yet modern black metal sound starts off the album and a few seconds later spoken word parts which are also used quite a bit throughout the recording are added onto the recording and on the second track the music speeds up a bit and also adds in more of a raw style along with some blast beats and grim screams while a decent amount of melodies are still utilized.

Throughout the recording there is a great mixture of slow, mid paced and fast parts while the solos and leads are in more of an atmospheric and melodic black metal direction and after awhile the music starts incorporating more experimental and ambient elements and most of the tracks are very long and epic in length and all of the musical instruments have a very powerful sound to them and a couple of the later tracks also brings in a brief use of clean playing which also gives the song more of a progressive feeling.

Movimento D' Avantguardia Emetico plays a style of black metal that is very modern, complex and sometimes raw while also managing to be atmospheric and avant garde in more of a grim approach, the production sounds very dark and raw yet powerful at the same time while the lyrics are written in Italian and cover poetic and philosophical themes.

In my opinion Movimento D' Avantguardia Emetico are a very great sounding complex black metal band and if you are fan of this musical genre, you should check out this album. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "La cresta verso Grauhaupt" and "Torri Del Silenzio". 8 out of 10.

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days? These days we are preparing and doing last arrangements on the material for our next album. I guess in september we will be ready to go to studio and record our 12 tracks. We are also preparing for a small concert in Oslo 14 sep.

2.In April you where a part of a split, how would you describe the musical sound of the newer material and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?Well it's still our sound but on this next album the majority of the members participated in the composition so it will be a bit different. On our earlier releases i wrote most of the material and we arrange it together on rehersals, now we still arrange it together but different writers. I guess the new album will be more solid, a bit scizho, but still Kirkebrann he he. It's Black Metal still, the way we like it, in your fucking face.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?I guess we are a bit sick of the world... it's full of arrogant people believing we are better than the universe itself, but most of all we are anti religious. Religion is the big plague in this world and that's one of the big message in our lyrics. All is fucked up... I can not fucking understand how people can believe in that crap. Just read those damn books and see how fucked up it is. Take a look at the universe and understand how small you really are.

4.I know that the bands name means church burning', how would you describe your anti Christian and Satanic views?I guess i answered this already he he. We are not just anti christian but anti religion. And church of satan? Who needs a damn book to learn how to think... fuck it.

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?I get fucked on stage and I release the hatred he he. We had a few line up changes so i guess there have been some different performances but it all over quite good i think. We always get good feedback from the audience; I do my best to fuck them up he he. I enjoyed most of our shows. I guess, one of my favorite is of course when we played at Inferno Festival Club Day with full house. It was great... there was not room for more people. The gigs in Tønsberg our, “hometown”, have always been good and of course in Spain on our mini tour we had some good crowded, specially in Palencia he he Yes, you guys were crazy.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?Well now we will focus on the album during few moths except for the gig in Oslo, so i guess it will not be so many gigs this year, but we started booking and hopfully have many gigs next year. We have confirmed a gig at a festival in Wales april next year. Finally we have a manager now so I don't have to do all the work myself he he.

7.Can you tell us a little bit more about the bands that where also a part of the current split?There is Visegaard from Skien, a good Black Metal band; I think they have some trouble with their debut album but i hope it works out for them he he. I haven't talked so mutch with those guys but they are a good gang. We will hopefully play together again. And of cpurse, there are our good friends of Djevelkult... they released their full length last year i think (don't kill me Jan) and we have played lots of gigs with them. We toured together with them in Spain and will co-headline with them next year on the festival in Wales. They are working on some new meterial now and it sounds good. We will still work together with them.

8.The split was released by VempireChrist & Visual Assault, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?To be honest i dont know much about it ha ha ha. As far as i know it's a fan made split in a very limited copies and i still have a few left if someone like to order just contact me on the Kirkebrann page on Facebook.

9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by black metal?I guess it has been good. Our first album was not very good promoted but all feedback i get is good. We will do better on the promotion in the future and get Kirkebrann out to the masses he he. As i said before the live feedback is always good, so more touring must be done.

10.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects that the band members are a part of?It's a bit quiet in all of them he he. I think Svidd is finished with an EP and Svikt is working in some new songs for recording. There has been some trouble with lineup changes and a break in the rehearsal room. So it's a bit quiet but something will happen eventually. My other projects are on ice so I will focus on Kirkebrann for a while.

11.You are getting record to record a new album, what can we expect musically when it comes out?Guess i have answered this already again he he. As i said it will be a bit different with 12 songs but still Black Punk fucking Metal. So if you don't fuck off and listen to something else he he.

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?I guess my biggest inspiration is old Darkthrone (A Blaze in the Nothern Sky 'til Panzerfaust) and old Gorgoroth (Pentagram til Under the Sign of Hell). Fantastic albums and will always be. Still I listen to them nowadays he he. I'm not so good at checking out new bands but i think Svarthauge from Oslo is great. I mostly listen to old black metal,punk and rock and roll. There is no black metal without rock and roll.

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?The world will end and everything will die and that is a good thing!!

Nybbas are a band from Colorado that plays a very raw and depressive form of occult black metal and this is a review of their self released 2015 ep "Azerate".

A very dark and atmospheric synth intro starts off the ep and after the intro the music starts going for more of a heavier and raw style of black metal and once the high pitched screams kick in the music starts getting very fast and also utilizes a great amount of blast beats and the music also brings in a great mixture of slow, mid paced and fast parts.

After awhile the vocals start bringing in more of a grim atmosphere and some of the riffs also bring in depressive melodies at times along with a few tracks being long and epic in length and mostly of the tracks avoid using solos and leads except for the last track and they are done in more of a melodic fashion while the main focus is more on a raw style of black metal which is mostly rooted in the 90's second wave era and the ep closes with thunder and rain sounds.

Nybbas plays a style of black metal that is very raw, aggressive and mostly old school while some elements of the more modern depressive and occult sides of the genre are also a part of the musical style, the production sounds very dark and raw while the lyrics cover Occultism, Left Hand Path, Anti Cosmic Satanism and Depressive themes.

In my opinion Nybbas are a very great sounding raw and depressive occult black metal band and if you are a fan of this musical genre, you should check out this recording. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Burning Down The Tree Of Life" and "Emanations Of Chaos". 8 out of 10.

Monday, August 24, 2015

Meuchelmord are a solo project from Germany that plays a very depressive form of black metal and this is a review of his self released 2015 ep "Apathie".

Tragic sounding keyboards start off the ep and after a few seconds elements of electronic music are added onto the recording before adding in more of a heavy and depressive black metal sound that also uses very melodic and atmospheric sounding guitar solos and leads and on the second track the music gets more structured.

When vocals are added into the music they are very high pitched depressive black metal screams and all of the songs have a very modern approach to the genre and a small amount of clean playing can be heard in some parts of the songs and also adds to a touch of post rock to the tracks and as the ep progresses clear singing can be heard briefly and the whole recording sticks to either a slow or mid tempo musical direction.

Meuchelmord plays a style of black metal that is very depressive while also mixing the post, atmospheric and melodic sides of the genre into the songs to make the music stand out a bit more, the production sounds very dark and raw while the lyrics are written in German and cover depressive themes.

In my opinion Meuchelmord are a very great sounding depressive, post black metal project and if you are a fan of this musical genre, you should check out this ep. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Jahr" and "Regeneration". 8 out of 10.

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the musical project?
1: Show Me Wolves is a solo project that I, Hörður Lúðvíksson, started early this year. The reason i wanted to do a solo project is that I had a bunch of songs that didn't fit into anything that i had been doing in the past, i wanted to try working alone and see how it would go, so far it has been great.

2.Recently you have released an album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?
2: When i started working on the album i didn't focus much on following a specific genre, instead i wanted to write music that i would listen to. Personally I would describe the album as a mix of black metal and death metal with some elements of metalcore. i however do not think of metalcore as a group of guys singing about how their girlfriends left them and using autotune as much as they can. for me metalcore is a genre where you mix together metal and hardcore.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with your music?
3: The lyrics i wrote for Between Man, God And False Idols are about corruption, mythical/demonic beings/places and depression and how these things affect the minds of men.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Show Me Wolves'?
4: I came up with the name when i was watching a show about wolves on TV. I have been fascinated by wolves for some time now, they are courageous and fierce animals. the word wolf in the name of the band however does not necessarily refer to the animal but rather means show me someone or something that is not afraid to speak its mind and does not take any shit from other beings.

5.With this project you record everything by yourself but have worked with a full band in other projects, how would you compare the two?
5: well, both things has its perks and flaws, for instance, when you are working alone you have the freedom to do anything you want without other people commenting on it or telling you that you should do this and that. Dont get me wrong, hearing opinions and working with other people can also be great but you do not get the same freedom as you do when working alone. but being in a full band is also great, especially when it comes to playing live shows. when i will play live shows with Show Me Wolves i will have to hire some session musicians to assist me.

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the deal you have signed with Merdumgiriz?
6: Merdumgiriz are now designing some merch for Show Me Wolves, CD´s, Cassettes, T-shirts and some other stuff, which will be available hopefully in the coming weeks. They are also doing a PR campaign for Show Me Wolves. we are on a mission to spread Show Me Wolves music worldwide. I would recommend that people go check out all the cool stuff they are doing on merdumgiriz.org and on facebook.

7.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?
7: It has been good so far, i have heard many positive things and gotten a lot of great comments which means a lot. Many people have already downloaded the album on my bandcamp site which is great and i would recommend that people head on over to bandcamp and get their free copy of the album.

8.Are you also involved with any other musical projects these days?
8: Yeah i am also in a hardcore/grindcore band called Grit Teeth with some fantastic musicians. We are online both on Bandcamp and Facebook so people can go check it out.

9.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician in the future?

9: I will keep on making new music for as long as i live, Show Me Wolves are here to stay so i will keep working on that hopefully for years to come. We are also doing a lot of cool stuff in my other band, Grit Teeth, so i will keep working on that as well. The rest remains to be seen.

10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
10: I listen to a great variety of music which all influence me in some ways. The past few days i have been listening to some local bands like Misþyrming, Muck, Mannveira, Beneath and so on but also to foreign bands like Mechina, Behemoth, Nader Sadek, Trash Talk, LLNN and more.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?
11: When i am not working on music or checking out new bands i often watch soccer or basketball games.

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

12: Yeah i would recommend that people like Show Me Wolves on facebook to stay updated with everything i am doing and also get your free download of my album on www.showmewolves.bandcamp.com . Check out Merdumgiriz online, they are doing some cool stuff over there and finally thanks for having me in this interview, stay metal!

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Stellar Master Elite are a band from Germany that has been featured before in this zine and plays a mixture of black and doom metal with elements of ambient and this is a review of their 2015 album "III: Eternalism - The Psycholospherical Chapter" which will be released in October by Essential Purification Records.

A very powerful bass guitar and ambient sounds start off the album and a few seconds later melodies and military style drum beats are added into the music which leads up to more of a black metal style along with some deep and grim screams that also use growls at times and a great portion of the tracks are very long and epic in length.

Most of the music sticks to either a slow or mid paced musical direction while there are also some fast parts and blast beats and also gets atmospheric at times and after awhile the vocals get more high pitched and you can also hear elements of industrial at times and some tracks also bring in a small amount of spoken word samples.

The songs at times also bring in elements of death metal while a later track also brings in a small amount of clean singing and tribal parts giving the song more of a goth feeling and as the album progresses the music gets more experimental and the synths also makes the music sound a lot more powerful while a later track brings in elements of black'n'roll.

Stellar Master Elite continue their ambient and atmospheric approach to black and doom metal from the previous recording while the blackened parts dominate most of the heavier sections and they also get more experimental with the songs and display a great amount of progress as musicians, the production sounds very professional while the lyrics cover a harsh reflection of man's own relationship with the sky above and the passage of ages.

In my opinion this is another great sounding recording from Stellar Master Elite and if you are a fan of this band, you should check out this album. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Desperate Grandeur" "Hologram Temple" and "Mark Of The Beast". 8 out of 10.

Saturday, August 22, 2015

Show Me Wolves are a solo project from Iceland that
plays a progressive mixture of black, death metal and
metalcore and this is a review of his self released 2015
album "Between Man, God And False Idols".

Dark
and melodic guitar riffs start off the album along with some
spoken word samples a few seconds later which also leads up
to a heavier musical direction that also incorporates solos
and leads that use a great amount of melody and all of the
musical instruments have a very powerful sound to them.

Most of the music is very progressive and when vocals are
added into the music they are very angry sounding black metal
screams and hen the music speeds up it brings in blast beats along with a more raw style of post black metal and the songs also bring in a great mixture of slow, mid paced and fast parts.

Elements of metalcore can be heard quite a bit throughout the recording along with a touch of melodic death metal and the music can also get very technical at times and also brings in growls in some parts of the album and the music also gets very atmospheric at times along with a few tracks that are long and epic in length and some songs also bring in a small amount of clean singing vocals and spoken word parts as well as a brief use of screamo style vocals.

Show Me Wolves plays a musical style that takes the progressive, post and atmospheric styles of black metal and mixes them in with a touch of death metal and metalcore to create a style of his own, the production sounds very powerful for being a self released recording while the lyrics over nature and philosophical themes.

In my opinion Show me Wolves are a very great sounding mixture of progressive black metal and metalcore and if you are a fan of those musical genres, you should check out this solo project. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Amongst Us" "Unknown Reflection" and "Beyond the Sun". 8 out of 10.

The Graven Sign are a band from the United Kingdom that plays an atmospheric mixture of black and doom metal and this is a review of their 2015 ep "Transmission #001" which will be released on August 28th by Hibernacula Records.

Emergency alert sounds start off the ep before adding in clean and acoustic guitar playing which also gives the music more of a progressive feeling and they also utilize both finger picking and full chords and after a minute the music goes into more of a depressive doom metal direction along with some melodic leads and leads.

All of the musical instruments on the recording have a very powerful sound to them and when the music speeds up and brings in grim screams it brings in more of a raw black metal feeling without losing any melody and all 3 of the tracks a re long and epic and also bring in a great mixture of both clean and heavy parts and the music also sticks to mostly a slow or mid paced musical direction and adds in touches of post metal which also gives the songs more of a modern atmosphere.

The Graven Sign plays a musical style that takes the atmospheric and post genres of black metal and mixes it with melodic doom metal to create some very original sounding music, the production sounds very powerful for being a self released recording while the lyrics cover nuclear themes.

In my opinion The Graven Sign are a very great sounding atmospheric mixture of black and doom metal and if you are a fan of those musical genres, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACK "Source". 8 out of 10.

Friday, August 21, 2015

Stagwounder are a band from Germany that plays a grim mixture of black and doom metal and this is a review of their self
released 2015 album "Invisible Radiance".

Static
sounds start off the album along with some dark and melodic
guitar riffing and a few seconds later high pitched black
metal screams are added into the music and the riffs also bring in elements of doom metal and the solos and leads are very dark and melodic and all of the songs are very long and epic in length.

Clean playing and clear singing can be heard in some parts of the songs giving the music elements of stoner rock and the vocals also get very deep and grim at times and all of the musical instruments have a very powerful sound to them and as the album progresses the music speeds up at times and also brings in a small amount of blast beats and it also gives the music a raw feeling and a couple of the tracks also brings in a few seconds of spoken word parts.

Stagwounder plays a musical style that takes grim black metal and mixes it in with stoner and doom metal to create a sound of their own, the production sounds very dark, raw and heavy while the lyrics cover dark themes.

In my opinion Stagwounder are a very great sounding mixture of black and doom metal and if you are a fan of those musical genres, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Eos" and "Among This Place Of Skulls". 8 out of 10.

This is a review of a self released split between Wyoming's Natanas and Colorado's Music Distroyer called "Spitting The Serpent's Tongue" and we will start off the review with Natanas a solo project that plays an occult mixture of black and doom metal.

His side of the split starts out with distorted soundscapes and a few seconds later melodic guitar riffs and grim black metal screams are added into the music giving the songs a depressive feeling and all of the musical instruments have a very powerful sound to them and after awhile nature sounds can be heard along with ambient elements can be heard in some parts of the songs.

Most of the tracks are very long and epic in length and when solos and leads are utilized they are done in more of a melodic style and all of the songs stick to a very slow musical direction and the last track also brings in a brief use of classical guitars, the production sounds very dark an raw while the lyrics cover Misanthropy, Esotericism and Suicide themes.

In my opinion Natanas are a very great sounding mixture of black and doom metal, you should check out this solo project. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Mercury Haunting" and "Desperate Hearts Reside".

Next up is Music Distroyer a band that plays a raw mixture of black and doom metal.

Their side of the split starts out with acoustic guitar playing that also use a great amount of finger picking and after the intro the music starts getting more dark and heavy and also adds in grim black metal screams as will as mixing in morbid sounding melodies and deep growls can be heard at times.

Acoustic guitars also make their return at times and there is a brief use of clean singing and the riffs also get raw at times and most of their tracks are very long and epic in length and also sticks mostly to very slow or mid paced musical direction while the music does speed up a bit and also brings in a brief use of blast beats, the production sounds very dark and raw while the lyrics cover philosophy, human emotion and religion as a whole.

In my opinion Music Distroyer are a very great sounding raw mixture of black and doom metal and if you a fan of those musical genres, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACK "War Among Us".

In conclusion I feel this is a very great sounding split and if you are a fan of black and doom metal, you should check out this album. 8 out of 10.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the musical project these days?
I just released a new EP, it is instrumental, called Órenyall, is only for download.
I'm currently working on what would be my next album, under the name of 'La Belleza Oculta' which it translates as ' the hidden beauty', for now i still do not have an exact date for the release.

2.In June you had released an ep, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?
Órenyallo is an EP which fuses many genres, it is difficult to describe the sound itself, the intro and outro it could take as a mixture of Ambient and New Age with a touch of classical music, while the main song (Órenyallo), covers many more genres, like Doom, Ambient, Black Metal, shoegaze and a guest saxophonist (Carlos Torre).
I think it would be more like a musical journey.

3.All of the musical on the new ep is all instrumental, what was the decision behind going into this direction and also would you use vocals again in the future?
It is instrumental, because i use to promote my new facebook page.
Yes, I will use voices again in the future.
Also to add, the songs from my last EP will be included with vocals on 'La Belleza Oculta'

4.When you had lyrics what where the topics and subjects that where explored?
In the beginning, occultism, magic, even included in my first full album, the complete Catholic mass in latin, later, the inspiration came from my former partner Witchy Hxryn and more human subjects were included in lyrics, love, sadness, melancholy, dreams, etc ...

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Funeral Art'?
Funeral is taken by the Funeral Doom genre and Art i take it because i personally believe that music is an art form.
That's why the Doom always been present in Funeral Art.

6.Originally the musical project was a duo but now is a solo project, are you open to working with other musicians again the future?
Funeral Art originally started as my solo project in 2006, Witchy Hxryn entered in 2011.Funeral Art will remain my solo project, but now i am coming to agreements, to have guest musicians.

7.The band split up briefly, what was the cause of the split and also the decision to reform?
It was for personal reasons, but then i realized how important it is to make music, of course, from my personal point of view.

8.I have read that you have also done one live show with this project, are you open to doing any shows again in the future?
Yes, i had the idea of ​​doing a live performance this year, but for now, i dedicate to finish my next album.

9.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
Previously Satanarsa Records () a Russian label relaunched my last three jobs, 'Susurros de una Noche', 'El reflejo de tu Ausencia' and 'Semper Altus'.I am currently looking for a label who wants to release my next album, so i 'm open to proposals or invitations.

10.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of ambient, black and doom metal?
Really well, as always, much better than i expected.

11.When can we expect another full length and also where do you see your music heading into musically during the future?
As i said earlier, I'm already working on a new album, but still i do not have a release date.
In the future i hope my music by released by a label, to reach more people and prevail, because it is my legacy .

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
My first influences came from, Depressive, Doom, Ambient, Black Metal.
I hear today these genres, but added it, Post-Black Metal, Shoegaze, or Blackgaze.

1. Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the musical project since the recording and release of the new album? It’s only been 19 days since it was released. So nothing much..yet! I’ve just been relaxed and enjoyed that it finally got released.

2. Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?I think it all stands out a lot more clear and both more brutal and beautiful this time. Some parts at ‘Legions of the North’ were kind of muddy. It was hard to hear all the details in the riff’s, if you didn’t already knew them. So this time I’m closer than ever, to getting the sound that I’ve always been aiming for.

3.This musical project has been around since 2007 but so far has only released a demo and full length, can you tell us a little bit more about the gaps in between releases? The demo are a full length album as well..so its 3 full length albums in 8 years? That’s plenty enough for me. The gaps have been filled with both the creative process of creating new tunes and ideas, and of course with whatever that has to get done in the studio. It takes time to build and create the perfect art, especially if you want to stand just a little bit out from all the other thousands of melodic black metal bands, from around the world these days.

4.The lyrics and the band name both come from Northern Mythology, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic? I’m from Denmark, and my body is filled with Scandinavian blood, so it’s kind of natural to find this subject interesting I think. This time the lyrics are a combination of both a little northern mythology and my own world/mythology. It’s all in Danish, but I’m trying to translate it all into English and upload them somewhere, so people, who want, can go and read them. It’s one long story, .like a theme CD I think it’s called.

5. On the album you record mostly everything by yourself, are you open to working with a full band in the studio or do you prefer working solo? Hmm no. That’s never going to happen with Fjorsvartnir. There’s a reason why I choose to do it all by myself back then in 2007. It’s simply a lot easier that way, and the results are a lot better than with a full band. You know, other people cannot read nor listen to my mind. In other projects/bands it’s something else. Sometimes I choose to work with a guest musician though. I figured out that I didn’t have the best female vocals myself!!

6. What are some of the best shows that the live version of the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Fjorsvartnir really doesn’t play a lot live. There was one show 3..4? years ago that was really great. But most of them sucks. At least that’s what I think. The crowd always seems to like them. But I don’t get the ‘kick’ from live gigs, like many others do. It’s more like a job. Maybe playing at a huge festival/stadium/hall could change that. But small club shows aren’t fun at all anymore. I used to love playing live when I was 15-25. I like the free beers though! That’s nice..very nice!

7. Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album? No, not really.

8. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to the newer material by fans of black and pagan metal?

Until now, I’ve only gotten plenty of good feedback, and read really good reviews. So that’s pretty cool!

9. What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that you are a part of?

Blodarv are going to play a few gigs next month (September), and maybe release the EP this winter I think. It’s really delayed. It seemed like there was a lot of problems with that release. But I don’t know..I’m just the drummer hehe.

10. Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician in the future? I have no idea. The future will bring me and my music wherever it chooses.

11. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays? Hmm..like always: Pink Floyd usually does the trick. I listen to myself (of course!) and also this German band ‘Der Weg Einer Freiheit’ blew me away somehow, after I saw them live earlier in 2015.

12. What are some of your non musical interests?I just got a garden, so I like gardening! Vegetables and stuff! I’ve gotten all geeky about it. Cooking is fun as well. Hmm and as I’m an electrician, I like all powertools, electronics and their components. Gaming PS3 are great as well. And I also got a new good friend in that Netflix stuff!

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts? Yeah, thanks for listening to my stuff, and for reading this!

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Ordinul Negru are a band from Romania that plays an atmospheric form of occult black metal and this is a review of their 2015 album "Sorcery Of Darkness which will be released in September by Loud Rage Music.

A very dark, heavy and melodic sound starts off the album bringing in a sorrowful feeling at times and when vocals are added into the music they are high pitched depressive black metal screams and after a few minutes the music speeds up along with a great amount of blast beats and it also gives the music more of a raw sound.

Throughout the recording there is a great mixture of slow, mid paced and fast parts and the solos and leads also remain true to a very dark and melodic musical direction and all 3 of the tracks are very long and epic in length and the bands influences are perfectly balanced between old school and modern black metal.

The vocals also get deep at times which also adds elements of dark metal onto the recording and they also mange to make the songs all atmospheric with traditional metal instruments alone and there is also a brief use of spoken word parts being utilized one one of the tracks and on the last song a brief use of clean playing can be heard before making a return back to a heavier musical direction while they do bring in a brief use of clean singing towards the end.

Ordinul Negru plays a style of black metal that is very dark, melodic and raw sounding and also adds in a touch of dark metal to create a style of t heir own, the production sounds very raw yet heavy at the same time while the lyrics cover darkness, solitude and occultism themes.

In my opinion Ordinul Negru are a very great sounding atmospheric, and melodic occult black metal band and if you are a fan of this musical genre, you should check out this album> RECOMMENDED TRACK "From the Ashes Of The Mist". 8 out of 10.

Nicrotek are a band from Indonesia that plays a very atmospheric and depressive form of ambient black metal and this is a review of their 2015 album "Strange Sounds From The Sky" which was released by Black Lion Productions.

Ambient soundscapes start off the album along with some elements of classical music and after the intro they go into the first of 3 Lifelover covers and bringing melodic guitar leads and high pitched depressive black metal screams and clean playing can also be heard in certain sections of the recording.

When the band does original tracks the music is more atmospheric and ambient influenced and they also mix in other electronic musical styles at times and a good portion of their tracks are instrumental and as the album progresses a brief use of wolf howls can be heard and some of the bands original material starts bringing in more traits of depressive black metal along with some suicidal screams that gives the band a few vocal tracks and one song also brings in blast beats and fast yet raw black metal sound and they also add in a brief use of acoustic guitars on a few songs.

Nicrotek creates an album that brings in a very raw, melodic, atmospheric and depressive black metal sound at times while the other half of the recording is in more of a dark ambient direction, the production sounds very dark and raw while the lyrics cover nature. mystery, scientific and depressive themes.

In my opinion Nicrotek are a very great sounding atmospheric, depressive, raw and melodic ambient black metal band and if you are a fan of this musical genre, you should check out this recording. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Mental Central Dialog" "Imagination" "Nebula Like A Lost Dream" and "Indulge In Fancies". 8 out of 10.

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Eisregen have returned with a new album continuing the atmospheric style of dark/black metal of previous recordings and this is a review of their 2015 album "Marschmusick" which was released by Massacre Records.

Air raid sirens and heavy guitars start off the album along with some black metal screams a few seconds later and a few seconds later melodic riffing makes its presence known on the recording and the solos and leads also use a great amount of melody while the vocals have more of a grim approach to the genre.

Symphonic elements can be heard in certain sections of the recording and when the music speeds up blast beats are utilized and it also gives the recording more of a raw black metal feeling and on later tracks clean singing can be heard in some parts of the songs and all of the musical instruments have a very powerful sound to them.

Throughout the recording there is a great mixture of slow, mid paced and fast parts and some of the tracks are long and epic in length and some of the riffs and vocals also bring in a touch of death metal while later tracks also bring in violins along with some elements of classical music while later one of the later tracks brings in samples of war and a later track also brings in psychedelic elements.

Eisregen creates an album that is experimental and catchy like previous recordings while also having more of a raw black metal style this time around, the production sounds very professional while the lyrics are written in German and cover death, gore, cannibal, necrophilia and murder themes.

In my opinion this is another great sounding recording from Eisregen and if you are a fan of this band, you should enjoy this album. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Marschmusick" "Leichensack" "Foltergeist" and "Pervertin Pete". 8 out of 10.